Elpha Lodge Residential Care Home

People felt safe and were enabled to take positive risks. Risk was assessed and monitored. Staff understood how to keep people safe and had received suitable training. There were enough staff on duty and systems were in place to ensure they were recruited safely. Staff learnt lessons from mistakes.

Care plans were in place, and where people were at risk of harm, assessments were carried out. We identified some improvements to records was required and the registered manager addressed this immediately.

People received their prescribed medicines, and some updates were made to record keeping during our inspection to further enhance procedures. Staff followed infection control procedures although we found some areas which needed attention. The registered manager addressed these and continued to work with the local infection control team.

People’s needs were assessed and continually reviewed. Staff worked together and with other health professionals to ensure people received the care and support they needed.

Care was delivered in line with best practice. People’s dietary needs were met but we found some record keeping in relation to this needed to be updated. This was addressed immediately and the registered manager was aware they needed to ensure practice was embedded. Staff had received specialist training for people who are at risk of choking.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and sought consent from people.

People were treated as individuals and cared for by very kind and considerate staff who supported their independence and choice. People’s emerging needs were addressed without delay.

Staff welfare was promoted and they received regular one to one support.

People received person centred care. Continuity of care was maintained with enough dedicated, trained staff. People were provided with information in a way to help them understand. There was an open-door policy to ensure people and relatives were listened to. Everyone received equal access to treatment, including when planning for future events and changes in people’s health and wellbeing.

The provider had systems and processes to monitor and improve the quality of service provided. The medicines audits were to be reviewed in light of inspection feedback. Staff felt positive about the current registered manager. The registered manager promoted a positive culture and included them in changes within the service. This included being fully involved in the inspection of the service taking place.

New systems were in place to record people’s care and support. These were still being embedded into the service. Staff were able to speak up if they needed to and were not concerned about raising issues with the management team. Partnership working was good, and the registered manager welcomed feedback to better support the home.